Published on Wednesday, August 19, 2026
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

A 12-year-old U.S. citizen is in serious condition in the intensive care unit at the National Children’s Hospital in San José after surviving a fall from a window of the apartment where he lives with his family on the 12th floor of a residential building complex.

According to statements made to the press by hospital director Dr. Carlos Jiménez, the boy has been in the intensive care unit since Tuesday, receiving mechanical ventilation and medication to keep him stable.

The Red Cross responded to an emergency call at about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday reporting that the boy had fallen from a window of the family’s apartment on the 12th floor.

Rescuers arrived at Tower B of the Torres Altamira residential complex in the Rincón de Sabanilla District of San Pablo Canton, Heredia Province, with an advanced life-support ambulance and an operational vehicle.

The rescuers found the boy with vital signs but suffering from multiple injuries and in serious condition. He was urgently transported to the nearest hospital, San Vicente de Paúl Hospital in Heredia Province.

The transfer was carried out with support from the San Pablo municipal police, who organized traffic control and escorted the ambulance to ensure it reached the hospital without complications. The municipality later posted a video of the police escort operation on its social media accounts.

Because of the severity of his injuries, the boy was later transferred with support from the San José municipal police to the National Children’s Hospital, where he is being treated by doctors specializing in pediatric care.

Jiménez told reporters that it is a true miracle the boy survived a fall from a height of approximately 118 feet because he suffered multiple injuries affecting practically every part of his body.

Jiménez said doctors will first carry out all necessary procedures to stabilize the boy before performing any surgical interventions because of the severity of his injuries.

Officials from the National Children’s Welfare Agency, known as PANI, the government institution responsible for protecting the rights of children and adolescents, are investigating the circumstances that led to the accident and are providing support to the boy’s parents.

“PANI prioritizes the physical and emotional safety of every minor, regardless of nationality or immigration status,” the institution said.

Authorities did not release the names of the boy or his parents. They only reported that the U.S. family had been living in Costa Rica for more than a year.

The U.S. Embassy says on its website that if a U.S. citizen becomes ill or is seriously injured abroad, a consular officer can assist in locating appropriate medical services and informing family members or friends.

“If necessary, a consular officer can also assist in the transfer of funds from the United States,” the Embassy said in its statement. “However, payment of hospital and other expenses is the responsibility of the traveler.”

U.S. authorities encourage Americans to obtain travel insurance before traveling to Costa Rica.

“Many health insurance plans do not provide coverage overseas. Those that provide ‘customary and reasonable’ hospital costs abroad may not pay for your medical evacuation back to the United States, which can cost $10,000 and up depending on your location and medical condition,” the Embassy said in its statement.

Authorities also noted that the Social Security Medicare program does not provide coverage for hospital or medical costs outside the United States.

U.S. authorities encourage citizens to check the State Department’s Travel Advisory website before planning to visit Costa Rica.

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